asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state, in respect of the year ended 31st March, 1955, the total quantity and value to fishermen of (a) demersal fish, and (b) pelagic fish sold by An Bord Iascaigh Mhara.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Demersal and Pelagic Fish.
I am informed by An Bord Iascaigh Mhara that the quantities of demersal and pelagic fish sold by them on behalf of fishermen during the year ended 31st March, 1955, were 87,677 cwt. and 12,907 cwt. respectively. The total value of such fish were £374,979. A breakdown of this figure as between the two classes of would be necessary to examine about 20,000 sales notes in order to extract the necessary information. In my opinion the dislocation of the work of the board which would be involved in this operation would not be justified and I, therefore, regret that I cannot ask the board to undertake it.